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DESTINATIONS
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HURGHADA - DIVESITES
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HURGHADA
The area either side of the Straits of Gubal is mainly the preserve of liveaboards.
Flanked in the west be the islands of Gubal and Shedwan and in the east by the reef
systems of Shab Ali and Shab Mahmoud, it is well beyond the day boat range of either
Sharm El Sheikh or Hurghada although some boats do make the 12-14 hour day trip
from Sharm to reach the world famous wreck of the Thistlegorm. Crossing the straits
can be rough and sometimes downright impossible in all but the largest ships. The
areas around Shedwan Island are closed to diving as this is a military area.
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Shab El Erg
The most northerly site for day boats out of Hurghada. A huge horseshoe shaped
reef there are many dive sites on all sides. The north point is home to Mantas
in season. The lagoon is dotted with ergs and is renowned for sightings of
the resident dolphin community, divers have spent up to 30 minutes with dolphin
pod here.
Gota Shab El Erg
nearby is a little known site but well worth a visit. The whole area teems
with life, unicorns, scorpion fish, groupers, morays, emperor angel fish, blue spotted
rays and underneath the table corals look out for white tips resting in the sand.
In the sandy channel between the main reef and the gota you will find cone shells,
and flatfish.
Shab Abu Nugar
This “T” shaped reef has a shallow plateau to the west with numerous small
ergs and two small sub reefs Gota Abu Nigar and Shab Iris. Some parts of this reef
system are positively dull while others are stunning. If you can dive the stem
of the “T” on the north side you will find three small ergs and the diving
there is almost virginal. You will find broom tail wrasse here as well as parrot
fish and unicorn fish.
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Umm Gammar
This offshore Island is surrounded by good diving on all sides. The south end has
a shallow plateau where the moorings are located this location is the most used.
For first timers at Umm Gamar the dive will take place from the plateau, moving
eastwards to the drop off then north along the wall. After a short swim against
the current you reach three pinnacles close together, chimneys reach through the
pinnacles toward the surface. After exploring this area you take advantage of the
light current to drift back to the corner of the plateau where three small ergs
are found, covered in glass fish. Finish the dive on the plateau exploring the numerous
coral heads and reef fish. The plateau is home to Napoleons, Emperor Angels and
free swimming Morays. The east and west side have awesome drift dives and the northern
tip or “halg” has a magnificent coral garden but is only accessible in
very good weather. Big groupers and lots of sweepers live in the multiple
caves found along the eastern and western walls and drop offs of this tiny island’s
fringing reef.
Shaab Ruhr Umm Gamar
Literally the reef of Umm Gamar, this reef lies 1km south of Umm Gamar and is the
tip of an undersea mountain. The reef wall drops to around 15m on the west side,
and is peppered with many caves and overhangs, home for sweepers and glass fish,
here the sandy plateau slopes away gently to 30m with the drop off beyond. On the
east side the slope is much steeper and drops quickly to the depths, the diving
here is superb and can be most often done as a drift. This whole area offers superb
wall diving with possibilities of encountering grey reef sharks and good-sized groupers
as well as morays, big tuna, and blue spotted rays. On the south east slope lies
the wreck of an Egyptian patrol boat which is well worth a visit.
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Careless Reef
An offshore reef Carless has two large ergs rising from a shallow plateau surrounded
by sheer walls rising from the deep. The area is unprotected and the reef can only
be reached in good weather. The current at the surface is usually from the north
but below it can be from any direction. To the north the drop off is a forest of
coral to the south the plateau slope gently away with small pinnacles of coral.
The whole area swarms with fish of all types there are numerous giant morays encountered
here, as well as the white tip reef sharks and schooling reef fish as well as huge
groupers and the occasional hammerhead in the early morning.
Torfa Fanus (East)
This narrow reef creates a huge calm lagoon, a great place to stop for lunch and
catch the sun before the second dive of the day. The lagoon itself and the
enclosing reef wall is relatively uninteresting and naturally lifeless but on the
seaward side the area bursts with all manner of sea creatures. Swim through the
gap between the first erg and the reef wall and head across the coral garden to
the second erg, home to hordes of glass fish and the very occasional frog fish.
Continue with the reef wall on your left to see the gorgonians on the corner of
the reef where it turns west, if you have enough air continue along the north face
where the corals are pristine, if not return with the reef on your right and explore
the first erg before returning to the boat. Dolphins are often encountered
anywhere around this reef so keep an eye out.
Fanus West
The other end (west) of the Fanus reef has two main ergs and several smaller pinnacles
off its west end. You can follow the reef wall round and explore the reef face and
coral gardens which is full of marauding jacks or if you feel energetic you can
swim the 50m to the furthest erg which is well worth a visit, explore the remaining
erg and pinnacles on the way back. Again watch out for dolphins at anytime
during the dive as they are frequent visitors.
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Wreck of the El Minya (Harbour Wreck)
An Egyptian minesweeper sunk by Israeli fighters, while lying at anchor, in 1969,
the wreck lies in 30m on a rock sea bed. The current here can be strong from
the north and the visibility poor. There is a large debris field which contains
a lot of ‘LIVE” munitions, worth a look but carefully. The wreck is only
70m long so there is plenty of time to explore everything including the blast hole
on the starboard side, which can be penetrated. Penetration is not recommended elsewhere
on this wreck. There is not much in the way of coral growth on the wreck but it
does have its resident fish life, the blast hole gives shelter to shoals of glassfish
and a lone anemone and resident clownfish are also in this area. Above the wreck
are shoals of jacks and small barracuda.
Umm Dom (Stoney Beach)
Here the steep cliff of the north east side of Giftun Kebira island plunges into
the depths and continues into the abyss, the reef wall drops to about 12m and then
there is a steep, tumbling slope to the top of the drop off at about 27m. Most of
the life here is above 15m as the lower slope and top the drop off are sometimes
swept by strong currents coming through the straits, stunting the growth of the
coral and giving a lunar appearance. Half way down the slope you will find a lettuce
leaf coral, in the blue you will find fusiliers, and triggers, maybe sharks and
turtles. At the top of the slope you will find morays, scorpion fish, barracuda
and clouds of antheas. Whale sharks have been spotted at this site on occasions.
Shab Sabrina
The reef here pokes out from the east side of Giftun Kebira island and has a coral
garden extending 300-400m north of it. This best way to dive this site is on the
drift dropping 300m out and using the gently current to make your way back to the
boat mooring. The area is known for its beautiful coral landscape rather than its
fish life.
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Small Giftun
Several good dives are found on the reefs around this island, the most famous
the drift dive on the giant fan coral forest at the eastern fringing reefs wall.
Napoleon fish.
Abu Ramada Island
Really two small islands surrounded by a single reef. Good drift dive along
the steep eastern wall, with big fan corals, overhangs and swim throughs. Big groupers.
Gota Abu Ramada
Literally “piece of Abu Ramada”, A 1km long mid-sea reef sitting on
a shallow plateau about 12-15m deep great diving is found on the east, west and
north side with abundant hard and soft coral and schools of butterflies, banners
and snappers here found swimming around the mountains of coral gardens. Just
off the west end are three large ergs which are well worth a visit.
El Aruk
A cluster of a dozen or so ergs laying in 10m – 15m of water, sometimes swept
by a strong current, It is easy to get lost here so count the ergs and take
your compass along. The whole are is home to sweetlips under the ledges, blue
spotted sting rays in the sandy patches and glassfish and basslets swarm on the
erg wall. One erg of note is El Aruk Macroom (the split erg) which has a grotto
through it filled with glassfish and attendant re mouth grouper and numerous lion
fish.
Ras Disha
The fringing reef, which surrounds this cape, offers a good shallow dive on the
hard coral garden found north of the lighthouse with schooling barracuda, napoleon
fish and groupers. Garden eels.
Abu Hashish
A shallow erg field lays on the south side of the island where lots of blue spotted
stingrays, puffer fishes and morays are found swimming through a pinnacle landscape.
A dramatic drift dive can be made along the eastern wall with the chance of big
fish out in the blue.
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SAFAGA AREA
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SAFAGA AREA
The area around Safaga has some great diving the best of it is well offshore in
the areas of Panorama Reef, Middle Reef and Abu Kafan. Some divers say this equals
the great sites of Ras Mohammed and Carless Reef. The whole area Is protected and
the same rules apply as elsewhere so please follow them.
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Shaab Saimen
Hard coral reef running parallel to the shore, seperated by a narrow sandy strip,
and rising from 20-30m to 2m below the surface. Large schools of snapper, goatfish,
fusiliers and other reef fish and the occasional white tip reef shark. Hard coral
formations second to none in the Red Sea.
Ras Abu Soma
Reef lying in front of the shore sloping gently and offers numerous quality dive
sites. Several caves with sweepers, schooling reef fish and occasional sightings
of eagle rays are not uncommon.
Tobia Arba
Also named the ‘seven pillars’, rising from a sandy bottom and display
a fascinating landscape of soft corals, glass fish, gorgonians. Giant puffer fish,
blue spotted rays and octopus.
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Tobia Kebira
Isolated reef emerges from a shallow sandy depth and offers interesting diving with
schooling fish, morays and groupers.
Tobia Soraya
Stretching out from Tobia Island, run a chain of pinnacles with a sandy bottom in
between. Stingrays, trigger fish and big shoals of banner fish with gorgonians and
acroporas in the background.
Gamul Soraya
Very colourful dive with hovering sweetlip shoals, banner and butterfly fish. A
small coral block which can be circumnavigated in some half an hour.
Panorama Reef
One of the highlights of the area. Huge coral formation with walls dropping to over
200m. Numerous grottos and overhangs, gorgonians and soft corals. Jacks, barracudas
and reef sharks often visit the area.
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Middle Reef
Northerly reef face slopes to 30m, then plummets vertically too much greater depths.
Hard coral gardens on the east and west corners with acroporas, brain and salad
coral. Fun dive on the south side through the shallow labyrinth of caves, tunnels
and passages. Groupers, puffers and sweetlips.
Umm Hal Hal
Two small pinnacles covered in pristine hard and soft corals rising from 20
m depth. Often strong currents.
Fellow Rocks
Two coral mountains rising from 25m to 3m below the surface. Seldom dived due to
exposure to bad weather conditions on the surface and the strong currents under
the water.
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Abu Kafan
Possibly the best dive in Safaga, a 300m long and narrow barrier features a ‘plateau’
in both north and south extremes. Superb wall diving with soft and black coral,
giant fan and gorgonians. Frequent sightings of jacks, barracuda, reef sharks and
the occasional hammerhead.
Shab Sheer
A long barrier creates a shallow lagoon on its south side and hard coral gardens
on both its east and west extremes. Porites, acroporas and fire coral with schooling
jack, snapper and tuna fish.
Wreck of the Salem Express
A Ferry carrying pilgrims returning from Mecca, sank in 1992 after hitting the reef
at night. 300 victims perished in one of the greatest marine tragedies of all time.
There is very little growth on this wreck and few fish have taken up residence apart
from an occasional frogfish. Many divers avoid this site considering it a morbid
forbidding place.
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EL QUESEIR & BROTHER ISLANDs
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descriptions
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BROTHER ISLANDS
The offshore islands in this area have recently been reopened for diving after a
long closure by the Egyptian Government and have been designated as a Marine Park.
Now suitable moorings are installed for dive boats visiting this area. The Brothers
are really the tops of two undersea mountains these islands rise from the depths,
the coral clad walls do offer outstanding diving with plenty of big fish action
due to there remote location some 80km offshore.
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Big Brother
The northerly of the two island and has a small lighthouse. It has two wrecks laying
on its walls. At the northern most tip of the island lays a large freighter named
the Namibia the other is the Aida II an Egyptian supply vessel that struck at night.
There is excellent wall diving all along the southern side of the reef with strong
currents promoting the growth of a spectacular forest of soft corals. Frequent sightings
of big pelagics and an astonishing variety of marine life.
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Little Brother
This island is the smaller of the two as the name implies. At the north end is a
long tongue of reef that extends seaward and in good weather it is possible to drop
in here and drift. The current runs east west and here sharks may be seen cruising.
On the south east side is a superb fan coral forest but it is deep and starts at
35m, there are also plenty of caves, overhangs, black coral, and lots of pelagics
including sharks, tuna, barracuda, turtles and schools of reef fish. As you round
the southern corner the slope gives way to a vertical wall where you can catch a
glimpse of a silver tip shark. In summer thresher sharks are seen here, in October
grey reef sharks gather to mate and divers have also reported schooling hammerheads
and groups of sailfish in this area. Before you know it your computer will tell
you it time to head back to the boat having had the most spectacular diving.
Quei Reefs
Four reefs and a number of pinnacles lying in close proxity. Unfortunately these
reefs are quite badly damaged by the crown of thorns starfish in places, but still
offer some interesting diving. Often sightings of reef sharks and sometimes a passing
eagle ray.
Queseir El Qadim
The bay where the Swiss hotel ‘Movenpick’ has been built is a natural
harbour used previously in Roman times. Amphoras can still be seen between the hard
corals at different depths. Large schools of fish, stingrays and turtle.
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Erg Esel
Big blocks of mountain coral surrounding a small flat-topped reef can be circumnavigated
in one dive. Clouds of goldfish engulf the reef and swimming through the sandy patches
surrounding the reef white tip sharks may be found sleeping as well as turtles and
barracuda’s.
Mangrove Bay
Mangrove Bay Hotel’ has been recently built next to this natural harbour, which
offers a good dive on the northern corner of the fringing reef with a hard coral
garden sloping gently to the deep. Large schools of unicorns, snappers, surgeons,
fusiliers and barracudas.
Sharm El Quibli
Bay on the coast offers some decent diving on its northern corner, with a sloping
reef covered in acroporas, fire coral and other hard corals. Lots of groupers.
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Marsa Wizri
Another bay on the coast, the fringing houses large schools of yellow goat fish,
unicorns, barracuda’s and other reef fish species on both north and south outer
extremes.
Habili Sheik Malek
Less than one mile away from the Tomb-Mosque on the coast, a little reef formation
creates a labyrinth of hard corals, fire and huge tables where lots of fish often
concentrate. Napoleon, barracuda’s and eagle ray.
Ras Torombi
Shallow dive around the northern most tip of the cape’s fringing reef, a great
deal of fire coral, giant table corals scattered over a sandy bottom. Snappers,
butterflies, rays and guitar sharks.
Shoona
Bay on the coast with good dives on the north and south side. Schools of bat
fish, barracuda’s and goat fish around the coral heads with glass fish which
come out from the slope.
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DEEP SOUTH - ST.JOHNS
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ST. JOHNS
The whole area south of Marsa Alam has achieved world class diving status. The names
like Fury Shoal, Elphinstone, Zabargad, Rocky and Daedalus conjure up dreams of
magical pristine diving… and you wont be disappointed.
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Abu Dabab
A collection of 7 reefs. Offers sheltered diving in rough weather conditions. Popular
overnight location due to close proximity to the famous Elphinestone reef with very
good chance to see spanish dancers on the night dive. Many swim throughs and caves.
Often sightings of reef sharks on the southern outer reefs.
Elphinstone Reef
The sheer walls of this great reef plunge steeply into the blue, richly decorated
with soft corals, sponges, gorgonians and fans. Sharks often swim by the spot to
feed on the abundant reef fish population. The northern plateau is home to schooling
hammerheads with frequent sightings of oceanic white tip sharks.
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Shab Marsa Alam
Large reef in front of the last southern civilian town on the Egyptian coastline.
Coral gardens formed near huge coral blocks ‘porites’ and shoals of banners,
goat fish, snappers and jacks.
Shab Samadai (Dolphin House)
A horseshoe shaped reef creates a shallow turquoise water lagoon where a large herd
of spinner dolphins live permanently. Several dives are found on its outer walls.
The western tip provides a large group of pinnacles rising to the surface from a
carpet of seagrass, populated by schools of reef fish.
Daedalus Reef
A huge round reef with a lighthouse more than 40 miles away from the coast, features
an excellent opportunity for spotting big pelagics including manta rays all around
its steep walls with an extreme variety of fish and coral. Good chance to see schooling
hammerheads on the north point. Strong currents possible.
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Gota Sharm
Big reef with big walls, hammerhead and grey reef sharks in summer, malabar grouper,
barracuda’s, and schooling reef fish the rest of the year. Currents, soft corals
and giant sea fans.
Habili Gamal
A small collection of pinnacles lying just below the surface. Often large schools
of jacks, oriental sweetlips, bannerfish, butterfly fish and goatfish. Only possible
to dive in good weather conditions as it is very exposed.
Abu Galawa Soraya
The northern edge of the ‘Fury Shoal’ group, this reef has a fantastic
hard coral garden, and a wreck of a private sailing boat on the western side which
is packe with glassfish.
Abu Galawa
On ‘Fury Shoal’ group, this reef has a good hard coral garden on the north
side, and a wreck of an old tug boat fully covered with corals leaning on a pinnacle
on the south side.
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Shaab Claude
Famous for its large labarynth of swim thoughs. Huge porite corals and a resident
napolean. Often white tip reef sharks and a very nice anenome and clownfish settlement
on a small pinnacle a little off the reef to the south.
Shab Maksur
Good dives on both north and south plateaus, with strong currents which favour the
growth of all types of coral, including black, soft and fans. Sharks, napoleon and
tuna fish.
Sataya
Also named ‘Dolphin Reef’, huge barrier reef that offers a sheltered inner
lagoon and shear walls on the outside schooling hammerhead, large tuna fish and
jacks.
Erg Diab
A single pinnacle with steep walls rising from very deep water. It is relatively
small can be circled in less than 20 minutes, but there is a very good chance to
encounter schooling hammerheads and the occasional thresher shark on the northern
side. Often very strong currents.
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Zabargad
Enormous mountain coming out of the water surrounded by a lagoon and circling reef.
A couple of wrecks and some decent diving with a great variety of both corals and
reef fish.
Rocky Island
Tiny rock emerging a few feet out of the water, it offers one of the most incredible
underwater scenarios of the whole Red Sea. Steep walls falling into the deep blue,
currents, soft corals and a great abundance of pelagics and all kinds of fish.
St Johns Reef
This incredibly beautiful reef lies Approx. 40km North of the Sudanese border and
20km south of Zabargad . The reef covers a huge area and many dives would
be needed to explore the numerous coral heads and islands that make up this extensive
area.
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Shab Aiman
Is felt to be one of the most beutiful reefs in the Red Sea. Starting in just 15
mts of water on a long plateau you can find every type of hard and soft coral in
profusion. White tip reef sharks can often be seen here in the early morning.
Shab Faraq
Is a long sloping reeffrom 8mts to 70 mts It is common to see Oceanic White Tips
and Grey reef Sharkshere. The entire length of the reef is carpeted with hard and
soft corals. The numerous caves are home to many invertebrates.
Abil Gaffer
A most unusual site the pyramid shaped reef rises from a depth of 70mts. The sides
of the reef are covered in corals and the diversity of fish life is tremendous,
look out for the huge schools of Barracuda.
2 WEEK MARINE PARK TOUR
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descriptions
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Click on the map to view dive site
descriptions
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Big Brother
The northerly of the two island and has a small lighthouse. It has two wrecks laying
on its walls. At the northern most tip of the island lays a large freighter named
the Namibia the other is the Aida II an Egyptian supply vessel that struck at night.
There is excellent wall diving all along the southern side of the reef with strong
currents promoting the growth of a spectacular forest of soft corals. Frequent sightings
of big pelagics and an astonishing variety of marine life.
Back to map
Little Brother
This island is the smaller of the two as the name implies. At the north end is a
long tongue of reef that extends seaward and in good weather it is possible to drop
in here and drift. The current runs east west and here sharks may be seen cruising.
On the south east side is a superb fan coral forest but it is deep and starts at
35m, there are also plenty of caves, overhangs, black coral, and lots of pelagics
including sharks, tuna, barracuda, turtles and schools of reef fish. As you round
the southern corner the slope gives way to a vertical wall where you can catch a
glimpse of a silver tip shark. In summer thresher sharks are seen here, in October
grey reef sharks gather to mate and divers have also reported schooling hammerheads
and groups of sailfish in this area. Before you know it your computer will tell
you it time to head back to the boat having had the most spectacular diving.
Quei Reefs
Four reefs and a number of pinnacles lying in close proxity. Unfortunately these
reefs are quite badly damaged by the crown of thorns starfish in places, but still
offer some interesting diving. Often sightings of reef sharks and sometimes a passing
eagle ray.
Queseir El Qadim
The bay where the Swiss hotel ‘Movenpick’ has been built is a natural
harbour used previously in Roman times. Amphoras can still be seen between the hard
corals at different depths. Large schools of fish, stingrays and turtle.
Back to map
Erg Esel
Big blocks of mountain coral surrounding a small flat-topped reef can be circumnavigated
in one dive. Clouds of goldfish engulf the reef and swimming through the sandy patches
surrounding the reef white tip sharks may be found sleeping as well as turtles and
barracuda’s.
Mangrove Bay
Mangrove Bay Hotel’ has been recently built next to this natural harbour, which
offers a good dive on the northern corner of the fringing reef with a hard coral
garden sloping gently to the deep. Large schools of unicorns, snappers, surgeons,
fusiliers and barracudas.
Sharm El Quibli
Bay on the coast offers some decent diving on its northern corner, with a sloping
reef covered in acroporas, fire coral and other hard corals. Lots of groupers.
Back to map
Marsa Wizri
Another bay on the coast, the fringing houses large schools of yellow goat fish,
unicorns, barracuda’s and other reef fish species on both north and south outer
extremes.
Habili Sheik Malek
Less than one mile away from the Tomb-Mosque on the coast, a little reef formation
creates a labyrinth of hard corals, fire and huge tables where lots of fish often
concentrate. Napoleon, barracuda’s and eagle ray.
Ras Torombi
Shallow dive around the northern most tip of the cape’s fringing reef, a great
deal of fire coral, giant table corals scattered over a sandy bottom. Snappers,
butterflies, rays and guitar sharks.
Shoona
Bay on the coast with good dives on the north and south side. Schools of bat
fish, barracuda’s and goat fish around the coral heads with glass fish which
come out from the slope.
Back to map
Abu Dabab
A collection of 7 reefs. Offers sheltered diving in rough weather conditions. Popular
overnight location due to close proximity to the famous Elphinestone reef with very
good chance to see spanish dancers on the night dive. Many swim throughs and caves.
Often sightings of reef sharks on the southern outer reefs.
Elphinstone Reef
The sheer walls of this great reef plunge steeply into the blue, richly decorated
with soft corals, sponges, gorgonians and fans. Sharks often swim by the spot to
feed on the abundant reef fish population. The northern plateau is home to schooling
hammerheads with frequent sightings of oceanic white tip sharks.
Back to map
Shab Marsa Alam
Large reef in front of the last southern civilian town on the Egyptian coastline.
Coral gardens formed near huge coral blocks ‘porites’ and shoals of banners,
goat fish, snappers and jacks.
Shab Samadai (Dolphin House)
A horseshoe shaped reef creates a shallow turquoise water lagoon where a large herd
of spinner dolphins live permanently. Several dives are found on its outer walls.
The western tip provides a large group of pinnacles rising to the surface from a
carpet of seagrass, populated by schools of reef fish.
Daedalus Reef
A huge round reef with a lighthouse more than 40 miles away from the coast, features
an excellent opportunity for spotting big pelagics including manta rays all around
its steep walls with an extreme variety of fish and coral. Good chance to see schooling
hammerheads on the north point. Strong currents possible.
Back to map
Gota Sharm
Big reef with big walls, hammerhead and grey reef sharks in summer, malabar grouper,
barracuda’s, and schooling reef fish the rest of the year. Currents, soft corals
and giant sea fans.
Habili Gamal
A small collection of pinnacles lying just below the surface. Often large schools
of jacks, oriental sweetlips, bannerfish, butterfly fish and goatfish. Only possible
to dive in good weather conditions as it is very exposed.
Abu Galawa Soraya
The northern edge of the ‘Fury Shoal’ group, this reef has a fantastic
hard coral garden, and a wreck of a private sailing boat on the western side which
is packe with glassfish.
Abu Galawa
On ‘Fury Shoal’ group, this reef has a good hard coral garden on the north
side, and a wreck of an old tug boat fully covered with corals leaning on a pinnacle
on the south side.
Back to map
Shaab Claude
Famous for its large labarynth of swim thoughs. Huge porite corals and a resident
napolean. Often white tip reef sharks and a very nice anenome and clownfish settlement
on a small pinnacle a little off the reef to the south.
Shab Maksur
Good dives on both north and south plateaus, with strong currents which favour the
growth of all types of coral, including black, soft and fans. Sharks, napoleon and
tuna fish.
Sataya
Also named ‘Dolphin Reef’, huge barrier reef that offers a sheltered inner
lagoon and shear walls on the outside schooling hammerhead, large tuna fish and
jacks.
Erg Diab
A single pinnacle with steep walls rising from very deep water. It is relatively
small can be circled in less than 20 minutes, but there is a very good chance to
encounter schooling hammerheads and the occasional thresher shark on the northern
side. Often very strong currents.
Back to map
Zabargad
Enormous mountain coming out of the water surrounded by a lagoon and circling reef.
A couple of wrecks and some decent diving with a great variety of both corals and
reef fish.
Rocky Island
Tiny rock emerging a few feet out of the water, it offers one of the most incredible
underwater scenarios of the whole Red Sea. Steep walls falling into the deep blue,
currents, soft corals and a great abundance of pelagics and all kinds of fish.
St Johns Reef
This incredibly beautiful reef lies Approx. 40km North of the Sudanese border and
20km south of Zabargad . The reef covers a huge area and many dives would
be needed to explore the numerous coral heads and islands that make up this extensive
area.
Back to map
Shab Aiman
Is felt to be one of the most beutiful reefs in the Red Sea. Starting in just 15
mts of water on a long plateau you can find every type of hard and soft coral in
profusion. White tip reef sharks can often be seen here in the early morning.
Shab Faraq
Is a long sloping reeffrom 8mts to 70 mts It is common to see Oceanic White Tips
and Grey reef Sharks here. The entire length of the reef is carpeted with hard and
soft corals. The numerous caves are home to many invertebrates.
Abil Gaffer
A most unusual site the pyramid shaped reef rises from a depth of 70mts. The sides
of the reef are covered in corals and the diversity of fish life is tremendous,
look out for the huge schools of Barracuda.
Gubal Straits - Dive sites between El Gouna and Sinai
Click on the map to view dive site descriptions
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GUBAL STAITS
The area either side of the Straits of Gubal is mainly the preserve of liveaboards.
Flanked in the west be the islands of Gubal and Shedwan and in the east by the reef
systems of Shab Ali and Shab Mahmoud, it is well beyond the day boat range of either
Sharm El Sheikh or Hurghada although some boats do make the 12-14 hour day trip
from Sharm to reach the world famous wreck of the Thistlegorm. Crossing the straits
can be rough and sometimes downright impossible in all but the largest ships. The
areas around Shedwan Island are closed to diving as this is a military area.
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The Alternatives
About 30 minutes north west of Ras Mohammed is system of flat top ergs, with names
like “lonely mushroom, stingray station and sometimes known as the ‘seven
pinnacles’. Best dive is around the third or fourth erg from the east where
the current sweeps through feeding pristine corals with bright vivid colours, however,
the visibility can be effected in rough weather. ‘Stingray Station’ lies
at the western extremity of the Alternatives; this is an irregular reef and
owes its name to the gathering of stingrays in March and April. The whole area is
known as home to large groupers, turtles and leopard shark.
The Wreck of the Dunraven
At the southern extreme of ‘Shab Mahmoud’, a series of shallow reefs and
lagoons among which lies the wreck of the 72m English steamer sunk in 1876 on its
from Bombay to England loaded with timber and spices. The hull lies upside
down and is totally covered in corals (max. depth 29m), the prop and rudder lies
at 19m. The wreck is home to a wide variety of marine life, morays, napoleon,
groupers and schools of glass fish and goat fish inside the wreck.
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Small Crack (Small Passage)
Small split in the middle of Shab Mahmoud’s barrier. The tide empties and fills
the inner lagoon twice daily, thus creating strong currents that promote an impressive
explosion of life. Brilliant soft corals and resident flashlight fish also make
it a premier night dive location - weather permitting.
Wreck of the Thistlegorm
To most, I am sure this wreck needs no introduction. In October 1941 she was at
anchor behind Shab Ali and awaiting orders to move up through the Suez canal to
deliver a cargo of munitions to the British troops in north Africa when German aircraft
bombed the 129m British freighter. The cargo is still virtually intact and includes
railway locomotives, bren gun carriers, trucks motorcycles and a host of ammunition
of all sizes. You need to do at least two dives on this wreck to even get a feel
for the site. Dive the deeper stern section first and the bow for the second dive
of the day. The wreck is home to bat fish, jacks, barracudas, surgeon fish,
nudibranchs and rabbit fish graze the hull. The current here can be strong
and the visibility reduced so ensure a full briefing from you dive guide and enjoy
your visit to this part of British history.
Shag Rock
Being so close to its neighbour, the Thistlegorm, this large circular reef is often
overlooked. It offers excellent diving on pristine coral from any location
on its perimeter. The sheltered southern point is the most dived location offering
the opportunity for drifts along the west or east sides. Weather permitting the
northern point hosts the wreck of the Kingston (‘Sarah H’) just below
the surface (max. depth 12m). Large schools of yellow goat fish, sweet lips abound
here and the area regularly patrolled by grey reef sharks.
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Wreck of the Rosalie Moller
This wreck lies in the channel north of Gubal island and is a dive only for the
more experienced as the visibility can be reduced and the wreck swept by strong
currents on occassions. She was on her way to Alexandria with a cargo of coal when
she was sunk by German aircraft on the 7th October 1941, just two days after the
Thistlegorm. Originally named the Francis she was launched in 1910, she was then
purchased by the Moller Line in 1931 and renamed after the grandchild of one of
the company directors. The wreck is in pristine condition,and home to prolific
fish life and a magnificent array of hard and soft corals, she is 108mts long
and sits upright on an even keel with the bow at 39mts and the keel in 50mts. The
top of the mast is at 17mts. She is rarely dived due to her position and can only
be accessed in the best of weather.
Bluff Point
At the gate of the Straits of Gubal, ‘Bluff Point’ draws its name from
the turbulence created by strong currents that beat the eastern most wall of the
island. Huge fan corals cover an impressive drop off with caves and glass fish.
Sightings of turtles and napoleon fish are not uncommon. An unknown wreck lies on
the reef 300m north of the lighthouse, starting at 5m depth and sloping to 25m.
Rumor has it that this is the wreck of an Egyptian patrol boat sunk in the 6 day
war.
Abu Nuhas
Also known as the ‘Ships Graveyard’, this reef is dangerously positioned
close to the busy shipping lanes of the Gulf of Suez. This reef has claimed
more ships than any other in the area. On the north side are four wrecks laying
on a sandy seafloor at the bottom of a steep sloping reef layered with table corals.
The wrecks are sometimes inaccessible in anything other than a RIB or inflatable
due to the heavy swell driving down the length of the gulf. On the south side is
a safe anchorage for liveaboards and two beautiful ergs, known as Yellow fish reef
that make an excellent third dive or night dive or an alternative if the weather
is extremely bad.
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Giannus D
This Greek freighter hit the reef in April 1983 and over the course of two weeks
slowly broke in two and sank. She is the most dived wreck here, Laying in 28m and
leaning to port with a fully intact stern section and an impressive engine room
packed with glass fish. Locally known as the ’wood’ wreck for the
cargo it was carrying when it sank. The bow is also very interesting but is a long
swim out. She is a great wreck for penetration but beware of disorientation due
to the angle at which she lays. Be weary of the many lion fish and scorpion fish
that call this wreck home. and watch out strong surges in and around the wreck in
rough weather.
Carnatic
A British P & O steamer which struck the reef in 1869. and sank the next
day as the weather worsened. She was a passenger and mail ship and is sometimes
known as the ‘wine’ wreck for the numerous bottles once found in the holds,
sadly not many now remain to be seen. Rumor has it that she sank with forty thousand
pounds sterling of gold bullion, much of which was never recovered. She lays in
29m and now the whole hull is draped in multicoloured soft corals and the inner
areas are full of glass fish complete with red mouthed grouper sentinel. One
davit supports a beautiful table coral. The wreck is now home to large grouper,
octopus and morays and jacks and tuna cruise overhead.
Chrisoula K
Another Greek ship which sank in 1976, now laying in 30m is fully laden with stone
floor tiles and sometimes called the ‘tile’ wreck for obvious reasons.
Early morning divers may find a white tip reef shark sleeping under the rudder at
the stern. Be weary of very limited and small entry/exit points into the engine
room, however, penetration of the wreck is not recommended due to the unstable nature
of the wreck.
Olden
Not a lot is known about this wreck except that it struck the reef in 1981 and is
locally known as the ‘lentil’ wreck for the cargo she carried. Lying
in 31m and completely on its starboard side exposing its huge hull on one side and
gaping cargo holds on the other. Growth on the hull is fairly sparse due to
the position and current. Large morays live in the scattered remains of wreckage
on the starboard side and bat fish circle the topside. Most of the fish in the vacinity
of the wreck are overweight from dining on the lentils leaching from the sacks once
contained in her holds.
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Shab Umm Usk
A large horseshoe shaped reef that shelters a shallow lagoon and offers good shallow
diving on coral gardens at either point. Further around the southern reef exterior
provides a steep coral encrusted wall sloping to 40+m. Playful bottlenose dolphins
are found inside the lagoon at times.
Blind Reef
An Isolated reef south of Siyul Island, with good diving on its north side. Soft
coral, sea whips, many ergs home to glass fish and turtles can often be found here.
Siyul Kebira
This reef extends around the Island of Big Siyul and has a varied profile, in some
areas sand chutes (wadis) split the reef face, in others there are overhangs and
gullies to explore. The coral growth is abundant as is the fish life. Most diving
here is in swift currents on the drift but the north eastern point offers a plateau
which slopes gently from 10m to 30+m. Sharks and large rays are often sighted in
the deeper water, with schools of sweet lips and masked butterflies in the shallows.
Siyul Seghira
Despite it Arabic name Little (seghira) Siyul is the largest reef in the area at
over 4km long. It is usually dived as a drift due to the strong currents along the
sloping reef. The depth range is 20-25m, the corals are lush and vibrant and the
fish life is dense and varied. The best dive here is along the north side but can
only be done in moderate weather due to the exposed nature of the reef.
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